I am not sure if there are any two people in the world who scare me more than these two.

Not that long ago, Rachel and I were in the car and she made a comment about being brave and we were discussing what that meant to her. I was eager for an opportunity to get to know her better and share some moments of vulnerability. Being brave is a high value to her. Rachel herself is an adventurer- it’s who she is and I just love this about her.

This conversation left me reflecting on the times in my life that I’ve been more outwardly brave and when I was completely terrified but choose to keep going. New cities, new jobs, new relationships, new sights and sounds all have been scary, while also fresh and exciting.

After many years of chasing whatever I was chasing, I now desire to root in deeply. Adventures the usual sense have been fewer and further between. I find myself asking, what being brave look like now?

While there is much more to uncover, I do know for sure that bravery means showing up and continuing to open my heart to these thoughtful, intelligent, and witty girls. Being brave means understanding that these two are paying close attention to the women in their lives who have walked the path before and owning the responsibility that comes with that. These young ladies are my big call to courage today. They’re kind and gracious with me as I learn. We are playing and staying curious and sometimes it’s awkward as hell and while there isn’t a manual that comes with dating a single dad we’re all figuring it out as we go.

Rachel didn’t know me before, back when I all I knew was to run after these big, far away dreams that I couldn’t articulate. She met me in a quieter time, where the big dream and challenge has been in allowing myself to rest and be loved. I wanted to say to her that night in the car; “I get it, I see you and by the way, I’m brave too!” But more than anything, I wanted to say; “There is so much out there! Get after it, I am cheering you on and here for it all”!

But I didn’t say any of that. Instead, I said that I was enjoying getting to know her better and that I liked her. She said; “I like you too, you know… like a friend”. There was a weight in her words that I felt in the darkness of my car. As we drove through downtown, she told me where to turn in order to not miss the entrance to the freeway as she scrolled through my iTunes. She quickly shuffled between songs and we sang along together.